Sarah Palin on Crime

Republican Governor (AK); 2008 nominee for Vice President

Establish “FBI Day” to support fighting global crime

WHEREAS, the FBI’s mission is to defend America from global terrorism and global crime, while at all times upholding our civil liberties;

WHEREAS, thanks to the rise of globalization, crime and terrorism can cross international boundaries with a single keystroke;

WHEREAS, the FBI is not just facing kidnapers, gangsters, and thieves--it is facing terrorists, spies, hackers, violent gangs
international organized crime syndicates, corrupt corporations, and public officials and those who traffic in weapons, narcotics, and even human beings;

WHEREAS, the FBI has more than 90 dedicated FBI agents and professional support employees who
serve in Alaska.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2008, as FBI Day in Alaska, and encourage Alaskans to wish the FBI a happy 100 year anniversary.

Register sex offenders; & investigate internet sex crimes

Gov. Palin today signed Senate Bill 265 into law. During the legislative session, several crime bills, including the Governor’s crime bill, were rolled into SB 265. SB 265 bars convicted sex offenders from receiving a permanent fund dividend [Alaska stat
tax rebate] if they fail to keep their information current on the state Sex Offender Registry, [among other changes] to the criminal codes.

“I thank legislators who helped craft this comprehensive approach to strengthening public safety,” Governor
Palin said. “These are good steps toward sound public safety policy. We must continue to meet the needs of law enforcement and the judicial system to keep our citizens safe.” Senate Bill 265 also:

Makes a third offense for bootlegging within
15 years a class C felony.

Allows the state to pursue court-ordered restitution from anyone convicted of unlawfully taking game.

Funds a special investigator, prosecutor and computer technician to detect and prosecute internet sex crimes.

Victims’ rights are critical to “justice for all”

WHEREAS, Alaska has made great strides in ensuring crime victims are treated with dignity and respect. Victims’ rights are a critical component of the promise of “justice for all,” the foundation for America’s justice system.

WHEREAS, crime victims in Alaska have protections and guaranties under the Alaska State Constitution, but we must do better to strive to protect, expand, and observe crime victims’ rights so that there truly is justice for victims and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim April 13-19, 2008, as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Alaska, and reaffirm this state’s commitment to strive to reach the goal of
justice for all by ensuring that all victims are afforded their legal rights and provided with assistance as they face the financial, physical, and psychological impact of crime.

We are tough on crime and beefing up law enforcement

In Public Safety and Corrections, after years of positions left vacant, we’ve doubled academy recruits. We’re building public trust by demanding the highest standards of those in public safety. We’re implementing realistic plans to deal with overcrowded
prisons, including rehabilitation and work requirements for the 95 percent of inmates who will re-enter society instead of just “warehousing” them. In Law, we are getting tough on criminals with tougher, defensible sentences.
It was a clean sweep for convictions in the Cold Case Unit. Our Civil Division is managing hundreds of legal battles to protect Alaskans’ interests. I commend Law for last year’s needed, comprehensive ethics bill. In Military and
Veterans Affairs, we certified hundreds of territorial guardsmen, so those who served finally receive their benefits. We are proudly supporting our brave Alaska Guard as they provide daily search and rescue in our State, and support the War on Terror.

Collect DNA samples from felons

The governor today signed House Bill 90, the Omnibus Crime Bill, which strengthens laws dealing with violent offenders, sexual predators, prostitution, people who witness a violent crime and fail to report it, and people who
have been ordered not to consume alcohol. The bill also allows police in Alaska to collect a DNA sample from adults arrested for a felony or a crime against another person.

Gang members on probation must wear electronic monitors

The governor today signed House Bill 133, which requires people who are convicted of violent, gang-related crimes to wear electronic monitoring devices as a condition of their probation.
This will allow law enforcement officials to monitor the movement of violent offenders and supervise their activity.

Maximum sentence for first-degree murder by police

Sonya Ivanoff, 19, was murdered in
2003, by a Nome Police officer. Matthew Owens was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. His case is currently on appeal.

Governor Palin was joined at the bill signing ceremony by
Sonya’s parents and siblings. “The inappropriate actions of Matthew Owens cloud the focus and the image of our brave men and women whom have all sworn to protect and serve,” said
Governor Palin. “We must work with all our communities in a trusting partnership to ensure that every citizen feels safe, and is treated fairly and with respect.”

If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it

I support adequate funding for a strong public safety presence in Alaska. Feeling safe in our communities is something we cannot accept any compromise on. This includes policing in all its forms, the court system, prosecutors and corrections.
If the legislature passed a death penalty law, I would sign it. We have a right to know that someone who rapes and murders a child or kills an innocent person in a drive by shooting will never be able to do that again.

Strong public safety presence, via police, courts & prisons

PUBLIC SAFETY: I support adequate funding for a strong public safety presence in Alaska. Feeling safe in our communities is something we cannot accept any compromise on. This includes policing in all its forms, the court system, prosecutors and
corrections. If the legislature passed a death penalty law, I would sign it. We have a right to know that someone who rapes and murders a child or kills an innocent person in a drive by shooting will never be able to do that again.